Biometrics

2008 Words5 Pages

Biometrics is, “the automated use of physiological or behavioral characteristics to determine or verify identity (biometricgroup.com, 2014).”16 The purpose of the paper is to provide information about different forms of Biometrics. With the ever increasing threat of terrorism at home and abroad, biometrics is emerging as a way to increase security across the world. It is important to point out current issues dealing with Biometrics and how they relate to people that may one day have to use them.

Biometrics creates a barrier between a person’s personal data and unauthorized use of that data. A biometric device creates a digital template that is compared to a database of already existing templates.18 This comparison does not have to be 100 percent to be considered a match.

Types of Biometrics:

There are two main types of biometrics. First is physiological biometrics. Which are based on measurements and data derived from direct measurements of a part of the human body.16 Examples of these include fingerprints, iris recognition, hand geometry, and facial recognition. The second type is behavioral biometrics, which are based on an action taken by a person. These actions are based on measurements and data derived from an action and indirectly measures characteristics of the human body.16 Some technologies include voice verification, keystroke dynamics, and signature verification.

Government Uses:

The U.S. is the frontrunner to integrate biometrics into several aspects of security and, eventually, into everyday life for citizens. As of January 5, 2004, America has been using biometrics at its airports and seaports. All foreigners entering on visas will have their hands and faces digitally scanned.10 This will not affect American citizens but it may cause a problem for foreigners. By October 26th 2004, “all countries whose nationals can enter America without a visa—including western European countries, Japan and Australia—must begin issuing passports that contain biometric data too.”10 There are ongoing discussions in Europe to create a standard for passports that has many countries following suit.

The costs of implementing biometrics into security, specifically passports, are enormous. In many instances, cost is much higher than traditional forms of security such as passwords and personal identification numbers.10 Biometrics also puts users...

... middle of paper ...

...th Putting in Passports. European Report. p402. March 2014.

9. Katvan, Moshe. Too flaky to Trust. The Economist. p10. Vol369. Dec, 2013.

10. Prepare to be scanned; Biometrics. The Economist. p20. Vol369. Dec, 2013.

11. Verton, Dan. Feds plan biometrics for border control: technology details not finalized, but $400m system is due for use next year. Computer World. p12. Vol37. May, 2013.

12. Walsh, Trudy. Now it’s easier to ID the crooks. Government Computer News. p13. Vol23. Feb, 2014.

13. Walters, Sheldon. Biometrics: the answer. Australian Banking & Finance. p13. Vol13 Feb, 2014.

14. www.biometricgroup.com/reports/public/reports/biometric_failure.html

15. www.biometricgroup.com/reports/public/reports/biometric_match.html

16. www.biometricgroup.com/reports/public/reports/identification_verification.html

17. www.biometricgroup.com/reports/public/reports/privacy_continuum.html

18. www.ibia.org/understa.htm

19. Yoshida, Junko. Electronic passports prep for check-in-Led by U.S., countries set aggressive schedules for embedding biometrics in travel documents-but tech questions, privacy concerns dog plans. Electronic Engineering Times. p18. June, 2013.

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